Erica has been writing about small business finance and technology since 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and specializes in researching and reviewing business software, financial products, and other topics to help small businesses manage and grow their operations. Her expertise has been cited in MSN, Reader’s Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll, a graduate of Limestone University, and currently resides in Greenville, South Carolina.
One form of relief offered to small businesses is the Employee Retention Tax Credit. First introduced in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, this tax credit could be claimed by eligible employers on quarterly tax returns. This program was expanded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act signed into law in December 2020, making the credit accessible to more employers.
The SBA offers a variety of loan programs that vary according to business needs. Its flagship program is the 7(a) loan program, which offers loans for most general business purposes. However, it also offers special programs such as microloans and disaster loans. Find out more about SBA loans, including who qualifies.
QuickBooks Online is cloud-based accounting software. It has the complex accounting capabilities that small business owners need and supports numerous integrations. Quickbooks Online has a lot to offer in terms of features, accounting, and usability.
Loans expert Erica Seppala talks inflation with Nasdaq.
Financial expert Erica Seppala analyzes in Real Simple what people in their 40s can do to strengthen their finances.
Loans expert Erica Seppala tells Real Simple why an app might help people pay down their debt faster.
Is a corporate card right for your company? And if it is, what card or program should your company sign up for? Keep on reading to sort out how a corporate credit card can give your company a boost.
Come prepared to your tax meeting by knowing exactly what information your accountant needs to file your small business taxes.
For smaller creators looking for a more seller-friendly platform on which to host their campaigns, Podia isn’t a realistic alternative; the monthly cost is simply too high.
With interchange++ pricing, your transaction statement will include three elements for each transaction: the interchange fee paid to the issuing bank, the card association fee paid to the card brand (e.g., Visa, Mastercard, etc.), and the processor’s markup fees. Note that card association fees are typically very low and do not constitute a significant portion of your credit/debit card processing fees.
Are you ready for small business tax season? Here are our expert tips and a free tax prep checklist to help you get your taxes in order.
Small business owners searching for a merchant cash advance (MCA) or short-term business loan (STL) are often surprised to learn that their capital has come with a very high effective annual percentage rate (APR) that’s sometimes in the triple digits.
Short-term business loans are a relatively recent addition to a merchant’s arsenal of business loan options. Introduced in the last decade or so, short-term loans are similar to traditional installment loans, but fees are calculated a little differently.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides a number of loan programs designed to help small businesses grow. SBA loans are known for having some of the lowest interest rates available. We’ll explain the rates for three of the SBA’s most popular loan programs: 7(a) Loans (business loans for most general business purposes), CDC/504 Loans (business loans to finance real estate and other fixed assets), and Disaster Loans (loans to rebuild following a disaster).
Affirm is a loan company offering “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) options. By providing short-term credit, Affirm lets customers spread out payments in a way that suits their budget. To read more about how Affirm works or to determine whether it would be a good fit for your business and your customers, read on.
Many insurance companies offer cybersecurity coverage. Contact your agent today to ask about adding cyber coverage to your business owners policy or purchasing separate cybersecurity insurance.
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The vendors that appear on this list were chosen by subject matter experts on the basis of product quality, wide usage and availability, and positive reputation.
Merchant Maverick’s ratings are editorial in nature, and are not aggregated from user reviews. Each staff reviewer at Merchant Maverick is a subject matter expert with experience researching, testing, and evaluating small business software and services. The rating of this company or service is based on the author’s expert opinion and analysis of the product, and assessed and seconded by another subject matter expert on staff before publication. Merchant Maverick’s ratings are not influenced by affiliate partnerships.
Our unbiased reviews and content are supported in part by affiliate partnerships, and we adhere to strict guidelines to preserve editorial integrity. The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone.
